CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION AND ALTERNATIVE SERVICE
HOW TO APPLY
He may provide written documentation or include personal appearances by people he knows who can attest to his claims.
His written statement might explain:
• How he arrived at his beliefs; and
The local board will decide whether to grant or deny a CO classification based on the evidence a registrant has presented.
A man may appeal a Local Board's decision to a Selective Service District Appeal Board. If the Appeal Board also denies
his claim, but the vote is not unanimous, he may further appeal the decision to the National Appeal Board.
WHO QUALIFIES?
SERVICE AS A CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR
ALTERNATIVE SERVICE
• Conservation
Length of service in the program will equal the amount of time a man would have served in the military, usually 24 months.
http://www.sss.gov/FSconsobj.htm
According to the Selective Service System of the Federal Government; a conscientious objector is one who is opposed to
serving in the armed forces and/or bearing arms on the grounds of moral or religious principles.
In general, once a man gets a notice that he has been found qualified for military service, he has the opportunity to make a
claim for classification as a conscientious objector (CO). A registrant making a claim for Conscientious Objection is required
to appear before his local board to explain his beliefs.
• The influence his beliefs have had on how he lives his life.
Beliefs which qualify a registrant for CO status may be religious in nature, but don't have to be. Beliefs may be moral or
ethical; however, a man's reasons for not wanting to participate in a war must not be based on politics, expediency, or
self-interest. In general, the man's lifestyle prior to making his claim must reflect his current claims.
Two types of service are available to conscientious objectors, and the type assigned is determined by the individual's specific
beliefs. The person who is opposed to any form of military service will be assigned to Alternative Service - described below.
The person whose beliefs allow him to serve in the military but in a noncombatant capacity will serve in the Armed Forces
but will not be assigned training or duties that include using weapons.
Conscientious Objectors opposed to serving in the military will be placed in the Selective Service Alternative Service Program.
This program attempts to match COs with local employers. Many types of jobs are available, however the job must be deemed
to make a meaningful contribution to the maintenance of the national health, safety, and interest. Examples of Alternative Service
are jobs in:
• Caring for the very young or very old
• Education
• Health care
We believe that Christians are forbidden by the commandments of God from taking human life directly or indirectly and that bearing arms is contrary to this fundamental belief. Therefore, we believe that Christians should not voluntarily become engaged in military service. If they are involuntarily engaged in military service, we believe they should refuse conscientiously to bear arms and, to the extent possible, refuse to come under military authority (Exodus 20:13; Matthew 5:21-22; 1 Corinthians 7:21-23; Acts 5:29).
The way of God is the way of love, sacrifice and sharing (Romans 12:1, 10). The teaching of God for an individual regarding the taking of human life is summed up in the Sixth Commandment, which says, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). Christ repeated a great principle when He said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). Paul said, “Love does no harm to a neighbor” (Romans 13:10).
Jesus stated, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight . . .” (John 18:36). The spiritual Israel of God is no longer composed of the 12 physical tribes. People from all nations have been grafted into spiritual Israel (Romans 9:1-8) and are a part of the spiritual Body of Christ (Romans 2:25-29). As Christians, we have come out of darkness, from the power of Satan to the power of the Kingdom of God (Acts 26:28; Colossians 1:11-13).
We now have our citizenship in heaven (Philippians 3:20). We are to emulate the actions of Jesus (1 Peter 4:1, 13-16). Christ did not respond in kind when He was reviled, and He did not threaten when He suffered. He suffered for doing good and endured suffering patiently because of His desire to please God (1 Peter 2:19-24). He taught that to be angry with our brother can result in sin (Matthew 5:21-22). We are to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us (verses 43-44). We are not to avenge ourselves; vengeance belongs to God (Romans 12:19).
Our warfare as Christians is in the spiritual arena (Ephesians 6:10-20). We do not war against flesh (2 Corinthians 10:3), but against wicked spirits in high places (Ephesians 6:12). We are to be good spiritual soldiers of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3-4). This is our calling in life. As such, a Christian must at times face a conflict between man’s laws and the laws of Almighty God. When that happens, the Christian must obey the laws of God (Acts 5:29; 1 Peter 2:13-14).
In most countries, the military has its own rules and regulations.
A person in the military is not free to decide what he or she can do.
The wisest course of action is to refrain from putting oneself in such a position, since a person in the military is subject to its authority and may be called upon to take human life. The apostle Paul tells us not to become slaves of men (1 Corinthians 7:23).
Therefore, the United Church of God, an International Association, supports the conscientious objection of its members toward military service and war.